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TMA Wins Choosing Wisely Grant

TMA, partnering with the TMA Foundation, is among 21 state and specialty medical societies and regional health collaboratives that won grants from the ABIM Foundation to advance the Choosing Wisely campaign. Support for the grant program comes from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).

The program encourages physicians and patients to discuss the appropriateness of medical tests and procedures that may be unnecessary or even harmful. To date, 25 medical specialty societies have identified and created lists of more than 130 tests and procedures they say are overused or inappropriate.

The $50,000 grant will allow TMA to promote Choosing Wisely to Texas physicians in collaboration with county medical societies, the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association, and state medical specialty societies. The grant runs from April 1, 2013, to March 31, 2015.

A recommendation for TMA's formal involvement in the campaign goes before the House of Delegates in May, after receiving initial approval from the Council on Health Care Quality and the Board of Trustees.

Choosing Wisely gained momentum since it launched in April 2012 with lists from nine specialty societies. In February 2013, 17 physician-led organizations announced new lists of tests and procedures to question. Campaign partners include the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Radiology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Consumer Reports also is a partner in Choosing Wisely to engage patients in the effort.